Baptists come back from the dead

MORPETH Baptist Church (MBC) showed great resolve and determination in coming back from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2.

The away team started the strongest and they took the lead when a slack pass from right-back Haxell was latched onto, with the centre-forward released to finish calmly.

Further JPC pressure followed and Appleby made some good saves from long-distance shots.

A similar move to the first one saw JPC extend their lead by the half-hour mark. The home side battled back into the game, but it remained 0-2 at half-time.

A few motivational words from coach Curry at half-time and the determination of the team to turn things round soon saw MBC on the front foot.

Tackles were flying in, resulting in a couple of bookings, and Johnson fired a free-kick just over the bar.

From the next one, some quick thinking saw Brown play a short ball to Fletcher, take the return and then fire a shot goalwards. The keeper could only parry the shot and Johnson, following up well, hooked the ball in.

More quick-thinking from a throw-in on the right saw Elliott throw to Brown who fired a teasing cross into the box. One of the Jesmond defenders, under no real pressure, looked on in despair as his header nestled in the back of the net.

MBC were dominating, but the 90 minutes finished with the scores tied at 2-2.

Extra time was an edgy affair, with few chances for either side. Players were battling through injuries, notably Brown with an ankle problem.

A series of crucial tackles and interventions by man-of-the-match Dewhirst illustrated the desire and determination of the home team.

Just five minutes from the end, Brown had enough energy to take on the right-back and chipped in a lovely ball that was flicked on with his head by Snowball. The ball looped over the keeper into the top corner.

A nervy few minutes followed as JPC loaded the box and fired in crosses and shots, one of which bounced narrowly and agonisingly wide, but MBC held on for the win.